Like many of us, Cy the Cynic thinks he deserves a perfect partner.
“Some days,” Cy told me, “I’m convinced that my partners don’t have a clue. On other days, I’m convinced that it’s not just some days.”
Cy was today’s North. When South opened and rebid in hearts, Cy raised to game — and then had to watch his partner try to make it. West led a spade, and declarer took dummy’s ace, cashed the ace of trumps and led a trump to his jack. West took the queen and led another spade, and when East won and led the jack of clubs, the result was down two.
“Thank you, partner,” the Cynic growled.
“So two key honors were in the wrong place,” South growled back.
NOT BEST
There are no perfect partners, but South’s play wasn’t best. After South wins the first trick, he should take the A-K of trumps.
No queen falls, but South is still alive. He runs the diamonds and pitches two clubs as West ruffs. Then the defense can take one spade and one club, but South wins the rest.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K 8 7 4 H 7 6 D 7 3 2 C J 10 9 4. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond. Your partner doubles, you bid one spade and he raises to three spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: You must remember that your hand could have been worse, yet your partner is willing to undertake a nine-trick contract. Since you have a king and good intermediates in clubs that may produce tricks, bid four spades. Partner’s hand may be AQ103, AQ82,4,AQ76.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A 5
H A 3 2
D K J 10 9 4
C 8 3 2
WEST
S Q 10 6 2
H Q 10 4
D 8 6 5
C A Q 7
EAST
S K 8 7 4
H 7 6
D 7 3 2
C J 10 9 4
SOUTH
S J 9 3
H K J 9 8 5
D A Q
C K 6 5
South West North East
1 H Pass 2 D Pass
2 H Pass 4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S 2
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Originally published at Frank Stewart